Weak Base

Bases are compounds that dissolve in water and produce OH- ions, as well as molecules or ions that can take a hydrogen ion from an acid. A base is any substance with a bitter taste, a slick texture, and the ability to convert the colour of red litmus paper to blue. So, what is the difference between a weak and a strong base? When dissolved in water solution, weak bases are compounds that do not entirely break down into their constituent ions. Their solutions are poor electrical conductors. They’re electrolytes that aren’t very strong.

Strong bases, on the other hand, totally dissociate in an aqueous solution. The base has a variety of applications in our daily lives. Bases include lubricating grease, alkaline batteries, baking soda, and even the soap we use on a regular basis. Pure water is a weak acid and a weak base, and the fruits and vegetables we consume, such as kiwi, watermelon, and other basic fruits and vegetables, are also basic in nature. People have known about the general qualities of acids and bases for over a thousand years, but as scientists have learned more about them, the definitions of acid and base have changed drastically. Alkali refers to a base that has been dissolved in water.

Bases Classification

The strength, concentration, and acidity of bases can all be used to classify them.

Using Concentration as a basis

Base Concentrated

A concentrated base is an aqueous solution with a relatively high percentage of the base contained in the solution. Concentrated sodium hydroxide, concentrated ammonium hydroxide, concentrated potassium hydroxide, and so on are examples of concentrated hydroxides.

Base that has been diluted

A dilute base is an aqueous solution with a low percentage of the base present in the solution. For example, dilute sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and so on.

On the basis of Strength

Strong Base

This completely dissolves in water. For example, KOH, NaOH, and so forth.

Weak base

That does not totally dissolve in water. For example, NH3, Zn(OH)2

On the basis of base acidity

Monoacidic Base

Only one hydrogen ion interacts with one hydroxyl ion. For example, sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, and so on.

Diacidic Base

Two hydroxyl ions and two hydrogen ions mix. Calcium hydroxide, copper (II) hydroxide, and other salts are examples.

Triacidic Base

Three hydroxyl ions and three hydrogen ions mix. Aluminium hydroxide, ferric hydroxide, and so on.

We spoke about the weak base definition and categorization in this topic. 

Some of the example of weak base

Ammonia is a gas that is produced by the fermentation (NH3)

• Al(OH)3 is an aluminium hydroxide.
• Pb(OH)2 is a kind of lead hydroxide.
• Fe(OH)3 is a ferric hydroxide.
• Cu(OH)2 is a copper hydroxide.
• Zn(OH)2 is a zinc hydroxide.
• N(CH3)3 trimethylamine
• Methylamine is a kind of methylamine (CH3NH2)
• nitrous oxide (C6H5NH2)
• Pyridine is a kind of pyridine ( C5H5N)

Ammonia

Ammonia is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula NH3. It is made up of a single nitrogen atom covalently linked to three hydrogen atoms. Under standard temperature and pressure, it is a weak base with a pungent odour that exists as a colourless gas. This gas is found in the environment, including as air, soil, and water, as well as in plants and animals.

• This base has a molar mass of 17.031 g/mol.
• This base has a boiling point of -33.34 °C.Ammonia has a density of 0.73 kg/m3.
• This base has a melting point of -77.73 °C.

Hydroxide of aluminium

Aluminium hydroxide, with the chemical formula Al(OH)3, is an antacid. It’s used to cure heartburn, indigestion, and sour stomach. It is commonly used to lower phosphate levels in persons with certain kidney diseases.

• This base has a molar mass of 78 g/mol.
• This base has a boiling point of -33.34 °C. Ammonia has a density of 2.42 kg/m3.
• This base has a melting point of 300 degrees Celsius.

Hydroxide of lead

It is a lead hydroxide with the chemical formula Pb(OH)2; lead is in the oxidation state of +2 in lead oxide.

• This base has a molar mass of 241.21 g/mol.
• Lead hydroxide has a density of 7.41 g/cm3
• .This base has a melting point of 135°C.

Hydroxide of ferric iron

It has the chemical formula Fe(OH)3 and is made up of iron, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Iron (III) hydroxides range in colour from dark brown to black. It’s used in a few cosmetics and as a phosphate binder in aquarium water treatment.

• This base has a molar mass of 106.867 g/mol.
• Lead hydroxide has a density of 4.25 g/cm3.
• This base has a melting point of 135 degrees Celsius.

Hydroxide of copper

Copper hydroxide, commonly known as cupric hydroxide and having the chemical formula Cu(OH)2, is a pale blue precipitate formed when too much sodium or potassium hydroxide is added to a copper salt solution. As insecticides or pesticides, a solution of copper hydroxide and copper sulphate is utilised.

• This base has a molar mass of 97.561 g/mol.
• Ammonia has a density of 3.37 g/cm3.
• This base has an 80°C melting temperature.

Hydroxide of Zinc

It has the formula Zn(OH)2 and is an inorganic chemical compound. It’s an amphoteric hydroxide that’s water soluble. It’s an insoluble hydroxide that dissolves when exposed to high acid and has no odour. It’s employed as an adsorbing agent in medicine, as well as in the commercial manufacturing of insecticides and pigments.

• This base has a molar mass of 99.424 g/mol.
• This base has a boiling point of -33.34°C.
• Ammonia has a density of 3.05 g/cm3.
• This base has a melting point of 125°C.

Trimethylamine

It has the chemical formula N(CH3)3 and is a weak base. The chemical can be made immediately in the presence of a catalyst by reacting ammonia with methanol. The reaction between paraformaldehyde and ammonium chloride produces this base.

• This base has a molar mass of 59.11 g/mol.
• This base has a boiling point of 2.9 °C.
• Ammonia has a density of 670 kg/m3.

Aniline

Organic molecules with the chemical formula C6H5NH2 are known as anilines. It’s used to make rubber chemicals and items including automobile tyres, balloons, and gloves in the rubber industry. It is a weak base that generates an anilinium ion when treated with strong acids. It’s utilised in pesticides and fungicides in agriculture, as well as agricultural chemicals, synthetic colours, antioxidants, herbicides, varnishes, and explosives.

• This base has a molar mass of 59.11 g/mol.
• Ammonia has a density of 1.02 g/cm3.
• This base has a melting point of -6°C.

Pyridine

C5H5N is the chemical formula for this organic molecule. The compound is a weak base with a heterocyclic structure. Pyridine has a structure identical to benzene, except one of the methine groups has been substituted by a single nitrogen atom. Pyridine is a colourless liquid that works as a Lewis base and can contribute electron pairs to Lewis acids when kept at room temperature and pressure.

• This base has a molar mass of 79.1 g/mol.
• Ammonia has a density of 982 kg/m3.
• This base has a boiling point of 115.4 °C.

Lithium Hydroxide is a chemical compound that is made up of lithium and oxygen

It has the chemical formula LiOH and is an inorganic substance. This base is water soluble and ethanol soluble to a lesser extent. It is accessible commercially in anhydrous form, which is the weakest base.

• This base has a molar mass of 23.95 g/mol.
• Lithium Hydroxide has a heat capacity of 2.071 J/gK.
• This base has a boiling point of 924 °C.

Uses of Some Common Bases

Magnesium Hydroxide 

It’s a type of antacid. It aids in the reduction of excess acidity in the stomach.

Calcium Hydroxide (CaCO3)

• It’s a crucial component of whitewash and mortar.
• It’s also used in the creation of dry paint and decorative mixes.
• In soils, it’s used to neutralise acidity.
• Bleaching powder is made from it.

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

• It’s occasionally used in the house to unclog drains.
• It’s a vital component in the production of soaps and detergents.
• It’s used to make paper, textiles, and detergents, among other things.
• It is utilised in the petroleum refining process.

Hydroxide of ammonium

• Fertilisers, rayon, plastics, and colours are all made with it.
• In a chemical laboratory, it is employed as a reagent.

Weak Bases Ionization

An arrow pointing from left to right represents the reaction sign for a strong base ionise in water. The reaction arrow for a weak base ionise in water, on the other hand, is a double arrow, indicating that both the forward and reverse reactions are in equilibrium. The weak base, its conjugate acid, and the hydroxide ion are all present in the aqueous solution at equilibrium circumstances.

Conclusion

Bases are compounds that dissolve in water and produce OH- ions, as well as molecules or ions that can take a hydrogen ion from an acid. A base is any substance with a bitter taste, a slick texture, and the ability to convert the colour of red litmus paper to blue. Strong bases, on the other hand, totally dissociate in an aqueous solution. The base has a variety of applications in our daily lives. Bases include lubricating grease, alkaline batteries, baking soda, and even the soap we use on a regular basis. Pure water is a weak acid and a weak base, and the fruits and vegetables we consume, such as kiwi, watermelon, and other basic fruits and vegetables, are also basic in nature. People have known about the general qualities of acids and bases for over a thousand years, but as scientists have learned more about them, the definitions of acid and base have changed drastically. Alkali refers to a base that has been dissolved in water.